proper
pronunciation
How to pronounce proper in British English:
UK [ˈprɒpə(r)]
How to pronounce proper in American English:
US [ˈprɑːpər]
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- Adjective:
- marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness
- limited to the thing specified
- appropriate for a condition or occasion
- having all the qualities typical of the thing specified
Word Origin
- proper
- proper: [13] Proper originally meant ‘belonging to itself, particular to itself’ (a sense now defunct in English except in certain fossilized contexts, such as the astronomical term proper motion). It comes via Old French propre from Latin prōprius ‘one’s own’, which may have been a lexicalization of the phrase prō prīvō, literally ‘for the individual’ (prīvus is the source of English private). The word developed widely in meaning in Latin, but its main modern English senses, ‘correct’ and ‘morally right’, are of later evolution. Appropriate [15] goes back to a late Latin derivative.=> appropriate, property
- proper (adj.)
- c. 1300, "adapted to some purpose, fit, apt; commendable, excellent" (sometimes ironic), from Old French propre "own, particular; exact, neat, fitting, appropriate" (11c.), from Latin proprius "one's own, particular to itself," from pro privo "for the individual, in particular," from ablative of privus "one's own, individual" (see private (adj.)) + pro "for" (see pro-). Related: Properly. From early 14c. as "belonging or pertaining to oneself; individual; intrinsic;" from mid-14c. as "pertaining to a person or thing in particular, special, specific; distinctive, characteristic;" also "what is by the rules, correct, appropriate, acceptable." From early 15c. as "separate, distinct; itself." Meaning "socially appropriate, decent, respectable" is first recorded 1704. Proper name "name belonging to or relating to the person or thing in question," is from late 13c., a sense also preserved in astronomical proper motion (c. 1300). Proper noun is from c. 1500.
Antonym
Example
- 1. There was great concern that the patient receive proper counseling , both before and after the test .
- 2. We also urgently need proper financial education .
- 3. The proper way is to compare assets and liabilities .
- 4. Proper care can minimize missed games and practices .
- 5. Proper democracy is far more than a perpetual ballot process .